381 And he maketh the altar of burnt-offering of shittim wood, five cubits its length, and five cubits its breadth (square), and three cubits its height; 2 and he maketh its horns on its four corners; its horns have been of the same; and he overlayeth it with brass; 3 and he maketh all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the sprinkling-pans, the forks, and the fire-pans; all its vessels he hath made of brass. 4 And he maketh for the altar a brazen grate of net-work, under its border beneath, unto its midst; 5 and he casteth four rings for the four ends of the brazen grate—places for bars; 6 and he maketh the staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with brass; 7 and he bringeth in the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it with them; hollow 'with' boards he made it. 8 And he maketh the laver of brass, and its base of brass, with the looking-glasses of the women assembling, who have assembled at the opening of the tent of meeting.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 38:1-8
Commentary on Exodus 38:1-8
(Read Exodus 38:1-8)
In all ages of the church there have been some persons more devoted to God, more constant in their attendance upon his ordinances, and more willing to part even with lawful things, for his sake, than others. Some women, devoted to God and zealous for the tabernacle worship, expressed zeal by parting with their mirrors, which were polished plates of brass. Before the invention of looking-glasses, these served the same purposes.